Pomonans 90 years came together to achieve greatness -- building a county fair in three months

Pomona has a real challenge trying to keep its library open in this era of disappearing resources.

But residents can take some inspiration from what the city did 90 years ago, completing a task so difficult it didn't seem possible.

Pomona took a real "can-do" attitude in 1922 as it turned a beet field into the first L.A. County Fair. Start to finish, it took less than 100 days.

On Oct. 17, 1922, the first fair opened with a new racetrack grandstand and animal barns, ready for the estimated 50,000 visitors who attended during its five days.

"How was it possible in much less than a year of actual planning for the citizens of Pomona to present to the world such a great undertaking as the Los Angeles County Fair?" the Pomona Progress asked rhetorically, and proudly, in an editorial on Oct. 17.

"It was possible only because the whole community, aided by many outside organizations, united in its support of the project."

The idea of putting on a fair grew out of a successful exposition put on by Pomona merchants in downtown a year earlier. That led to serious talk of hosting an actual county fair in 1922, something that had failed a couple of times elsewhere in Los Angeles County.

Once the decision was made, Pomona wasted no time making it happen.

The Los Angeles County Fair Association was incorporated that April. About $30,000 in stock was quickly sold, and funds contributed by the city and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors made it possible to go boldly forward.

On July 11, the city paid the Vejar estate $478 an acre for a 40-acre field northwest of Ganesha Park.

The first concrete forms for the barns were poured Aug. 1, and the next day drilling began for a 390-foot water well needed for dust control and other fair uses.

Work on the racetrack grandstand was finished in 27 days. Meanwhile, 18,000 cubic yards of dirt brought in by wagon was used to create the track itself.

By Oct. 7 - 88 days after the land deal was completed - the permanent buildings were completed and several tents erected. That same week, the Pacific Electric put in a spur line so its Red Cars could serve the fair - after all, in those days Pomona was a long way from the rest of the county.

When Pomona proudly opened its county fair gates at 10 a.m. on Oct. 17, about 200 people were already waiting in line.

"Beautiful California sunshine, the bursting of bombs (fireworks), the smiles of fair officials, the brays of mules and crowing of cocks, all combined to celebrate the opening of the Los Angeles County Fair this morning," beamed the afternoon Progress.

Obviously, the fair's attractions were largely agricultural in nature, with thousands of horses, cattle, rabbits, chickens and other two- and four-footed animals brought into the five barns for display and competitions.

One thing you couldn't do that first year was put down a few bucks at the track as wagering on horse races was not allowed. The incorporation papers of the Fair Association in 1922 strictly banned gambling - and that wasn't all.

"In keeping with the original resolution that no gambling affairs of any kind be allowed, the fair officials voted Sept. 13 that no kewpie doll booths or any other booths where things were won by chance, would be allowed on the grounds," said the Progress on Oct. 17.

Some highlights of that first fair:

The first day saw the fair admit all schoolchildren for free. Schools for miles around closed for the day.

Just like today, cities were given "days." It's said on "Covina Day," the city emptied and headed for Pomona.

There was an exhibit of war "heroes." Four pigeons used during World War I carrying messages for the military were on display. "President Wilson," "Moeker" and "Spike" drew quite a crowd. "Crown Prince," a German pigeon captured during the war," also attended.

On the second day, a different flying exhibition - with aircraft - was held in the afternoon with a wing-walker the highlight of the show.

One non-agricultural feature of the fair had a tent with 27 local automobile dealers showing off their latest models. It worked - 40 cars were sold during those five days.

When the gates closed and the dust cleared, city officials declared that first fair a stunning success. Its revenue paid off all the obligations and personal notes used to get the fair up and running so quickly.

And Pomona was pretty proud of itself.

Ninety years later, the city finds itself 56 days away from voting on a measure to provide permanent funding for its library.

Does the city have the same "can-do" drive to save its library? Only time will tell.